If walking around cities is already a bit boring — run through them. Have you noticed that participating in races has become fashionable lately? It's a noble and healthy pursuit. And what can compare to the feeling when you cross the finish line and complete strangers applaud you! What if all this happens in New York, for example? And why isn't a running marathon a reason for a visa or an excuse to travel? In this article, we tell you where to run, literally.

Running Tourism

We won't play doctors and list all the health benefits of running; you probably already have a good idea. Let's look at running from another perspective — as a reason to travel.

A trip can have many reasons and themes: filming locations of interesting movies, a desire to follow in the footsteps of a saint, visiting the homeland of a favorite writer/director/actor. Stargazing, wanting to help on a farm harvest grapes while secretly petting an Alpine cow, or planting a dozen trees for a future park — all these are also pleasant and interesting reasons to embark on a journey far away. Sports events and running are no exception. Yes, you need to prepare thoroughly and change habits if you decide to take this seriously, but nothing is impossible. Running marathons are another way to get to know a city and feel part of something important.

Of course, you first need to assess your health and capabilities, and of course, you need to start training in advance and with small distances. We want to believe that it's clear to everyone: you're unlikely to run a 10-kilometer marathon from scratch just like that. Before diving headfirst into all this, consult a doctor.

Is it paid?

Yes, in most cases, participation in a (half)marathon is paid. Just imagine: organizers need to fence off the race track, equip it with pit stops for snacks and water, and attract medical personnel just in case. All this isn't free, so participants pay entry fees. In Russia, participation costs start from 500-1000 rubles. A small price to run a few kilometers, get a medal or certificate, and have a tasty snack at the finish line. At some races in Germany, they even treat you to beer at the finish, and in Japan, noodle soup — you definitely won't go hungry.

International races start from 20 euros. The price depends on the distance, race difficulty, location, and other factors. Sometimes the cost reaches up to 50 euros, but these are really cool events. Add to this clothing, special running shoes, and accessories — you'll have to invest, but the result is definitely worth it.

How to choose a race?

If running isn't your whole life, but just a healthy hobby, then look for races in the place where you plan to go on vacation. Another option is to check online where and what races are planned, and then plan your vacation in or near the race location based on that.

And here's an important tip: don't choose solely by location; also consider the distance. 5 km or less will be just right for a beginner, 10 km might be too tough if you don't run every day. It's quite possible that you'll either drop out or crawl to the finish line barely conscious. The main thing is to listen to and understand your body, and to start by running on a treadmill to understand your capabilities.

You can find a marathon or a small race on any website like this one or this one (races in Russia)

How is running connected to travel?

Directly. Ordinary trips take place among gawking tourists in popular spots. A race, however, might not be in the city center, but in an area you wouldn't even think to visit. This doesn't mean you'll be running through slums; sometimes the route passes outside the city, but in picturesque locations or along a river. There are special routes where you run through hilly terrain or somewhere in the mountains.

 

How to get motivated and not give up?

Sometimes, when something doesn't work out or feels difficult, we give up and quit. It's the same with running. At first, it will be bad, hard, and slow. Thoughts will involuntarily cross your mind: "Forget this New York marathon! I'll just walk there someday!" But the main thing here is not to break down and keep going. Another important point is to set a goal. Choose a specific marathon and prepare for it by participating in smaller ones. When there's a concrete goal, it's easier to work towards it, right?

For beginners, there's an interesting website about running. There you can even take a test to help you decide on the type of race. Plus, there are many tips on how to prepare, where to start, and how not to give up running.

Which marathons to start with?

Not all races only require payment to participate. For top marathons in Berlin, London, Chicago, Boston, or New York, you often need to provide results from previous races of the same distance. If your results aren't great, you might simply not be accepted. Popular races always have many applicants, and there's even a lottery for participation. But we're talking about full marathons of 42 km. For beginners, this is too overwhelming, so it's better to start with smaller races in your own city. In Russia, there are also many races of various distances that are much easier to sign up for. Minsk and Kyiv have many accessible races for everyone; we recommend going there after you've run in Russia.

Next, you can pick out shorter races in Europe. And once you get decent results, you can even aim for Boston!

Interesting Facts

• During a race, you can and even should switch to walking. As soon as you feel unwell, slow down. It's not scary; the main thing is to finish within the time set by the organizers.
• Marathons are rarely held in summer due to the heat. Most races take place in spring and autumn.
• Previously, the marathon distance was about 40 km, but at the request of the royal family, it was extended to 42 km. They simply wanted to watch the marathon from their palace windows.
• There are people who set anti-records in marathons. One dressed in a diver's suit and ran the London Marathon in 5 days. Another dressed as a snail and "crawled" the same marathon in 26 days.

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